Anyone driving the Duramax in New England? Determining whether it's worth it when prices are sky high.

[navyseal334]

Currently live in AZ (currently 50-60 cent difference between gas and diesel). Placed an order for a Duramax to get the higher gas mileage (11% premium in fuel price vs a ~40% improvement in gas mileage).

Just realized I may be looking for a new job soon and New England may be a target but diesel prices there are a 45-60% premium to gas prices - eclipsing the MPG benefit.

I'm now wondering whether to bail on the Duramax and to get back in line for a 5.3.

If you're in New England, has the premium on diesel fuel vs gas consistently been this high (pre-2022)? I know there are inventory shortages up there but not sure whether those will resolve soon or will become the new norm. I recognize recessions drop all prices but I worry driving a diesel may be a money sink if we move up there. I also assume resale value will take a hit out there whereas diesels command a premium here in the west.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Another thing to consider is the Diesel in winter temps, and length of trips...depends on driving style, but if your routine driving ends up being a bunch of short trips, you may need to plan on some longer drives on occasion to let the regen happen, etc.

 

[B-train]

I would get back in line for a 5.3L. In the midwest (NOT the northeast, I know, but closer than AZ.....LOL) we have been running about $1 to 1.50 more per gallon for diesel over gasoline which makes it not worth it.

Also, consider the savings up front for the gas vs. Diesel engine options. Then add in DEF, more expensive oil, colder temps which will make regen more common as WALLEYEMIKEIII stated.

Case of comparison: 2015 3500HD with 6.0L. Got 9.5 - 11 mpg depending on season and workload. Service truck that weighed in at 12,300 lbs all day, everyday. Plus pulls a trailer 25% of time.

Truck was replaced by idiot service manager with 2020 RAM 3500 with the diesel. Fuel economy 7.8 - 10.2 depending on season and work load. Weighed the same and did the same work. Oil changes were a $400 visit vs. $80 at the dealership.
DEF problems in the cold........list goes on.

I am a fan of diesels like the 2001-02 duramax that has all the good technology without the emissions BS and provided great economy and low cost of ownership. New diesels won't be in my garage ever again.......

 

[tungsten]

I think the only reason to get a diesel would because your towing a lot.

Price of diesel here in NW Canada has mostly always been much higher then gas. Add on top the price to buy and maintain costs.

 

[navyseal334]

Towing would be occasional; mostly for daily driving.

For context it's a Suburban with 3.0 LM2 which may mitigate some of the drawbacks from largely daily driving (we'll be having our fifth kid soon so we need the room). It doesn't increase upfront cost, though maintenance and DEF will be factors (will have to learn to do my own oil changes).

 

[tungsten]

Being in Canada I dont think Ive ever seen a diesel Yukon.Most all heavy pulling is done 5th wheel.So deisel trucks are the norm.

 

[tungsten]

Towing would be occasional; mostly for daily driving.

For context it's a Suburban with 3.0 LM2 which may mitigate some of the drawbacks from largely daily driving (we'll be having our fifth kid soon so we need the room). It doesn't increase upfront cost, though maintenance and DEF will be factors (will have to learn to do my own oil changes).

I keep forgetting about the 3.0,you mention diesel so automatically I think the big boy.

When merging onto hwy how is it? Like 20 to 70mph.

 

[BrokerThis]

@navyseal334 Check the diesel subform for a bunch of info. Overall consensus, the babymax is fantastic, mileage and performance makes it still worth the price of fuel, esp with gas creeping up again.

DEF usage without hauling can get you 5-10k miles before needing to fill up that tank.

Oil changes aren't too different compared to the gasser.


Handling the weather, a couple guys in MN/WI on the board have reported they didn't have any issues during the winter months last season. I personally can not give my feedback on this for MI weather, since I got mine in July. But so far, the 10 month wait for the diesel was worth it.

 

[Geotrash]

Currently live in AZ (currently 50-60 cent difference between gas and diesel). Placed an order for a Duramax to get the higher gas mileage (11% premium in fuel price vs a ~40% improvement in gas mileage).

Just realized I may be looking for a new job soon and New England may be a target but diesel prices there are a 45-60% premium to gas prices - eclipsing the MPG benefit.

I'm now wondering whether to bail on the Duramax and to get back in line for a 5.3.

If you're in New England, has the premium on diesel fuel vs gas consistently been this high (pre-2022)? I know there are inventory shortages up there but not sure whether those will resolve soon or will become the new norm. I recognize recessions drop all prices but I worry driving a diesel may be a money sink if we move up there. I also assume resale value will take a hit out there whereas diesels command a premium here in the west.

I owned a diesel BMW when I lived in Boston for a bit more than a year in 2014-2015. Diesel price was always much higher than gas, negating any benefit. Then I sold the car taking a $35K depreciation hit over 4 years. I vote for the 5.3 and if you can wait a couple of years, you’ll get a daisy of a deal on a used one.

 

[pa31p]

Around Ontario it’s about $1.75USD per gallon more for diesel. we still have a Mercedes GLE350d. would not trade it. running costs much higher vs gas but like the pulling powrr. personally I’d keep the order for the Diesel. if you’re looking for economy in a Yukon….it ain’t there period. gas or diesel.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

For reference, today in Minnesota:
87 Octane Gas: $3.49
91 Octane Gas: $4.29
Diesel: $4.89

 

[navyseal334]

I owned a diesel BMW when I lived in Boston for a bit more than a year in 2014-2015. Diesel price was always much higher than gas, negating any benefit. Then I sold the car taking a $35K depreciation hit over 4 years. I vote for the 5.3 and if you can wait a couple of years, you’ll get a daisy of a deal on a used one.

That's my concern on the resale; out here in the west, it seems you can often sell back/trade in for higher than paid. In the northeast, low demand will likely exacerbate any depreciation hit.

Many places still have favorable economics with the diesel vs gas mileage given the current diesel vs gas price; the northeast is the exception to this. Prices in Boston and NJ are the two potential landing points with the worst economics for diesel fuel.

Built the table below comparing the premium on diesel fuel to compare against the premium on diesel mileage.

Summit, NJ

Gas

Cost/mile

Diesel

Cost/mile

Diesel/gas

Chicago, IL

Gas

Cost/mile

Diesel

Cost/mile

Diesel/gas

Price

4​

5.8​

1.45​

Bad

Price

4.79​

5.49​

1.15​

Good

Combined

16​

0.25​

22​

0.26​

1.38​

MPG

Combined

16​

0.30​

22​

0.25​

1.38​

MPG

City

14​

0.29​

20​

0.29​

1.43​

City

14​

0.34​

20​

0.27​

1.43​

Highway

19​

0.21​

26​

0.22​

1.37​

Highway

19​

0.25​

26​

0.21​

1.37​

Phx, AZ

Gas

Cost/mile

Diesel

Cost/mile

Diesel/gas

Boston, MA

Gas

Cost/mile

Diesel

Cost/mile

Diesel/gas

Price

4.79​

5.3​

1.11​

Better

Price

3.49​

5.49​

1.57​

Worst

Combined

16​

0.30​

22​

0.24​

1.38​

MPG

Combined

16​

0.22​

22​

0.25​

1.38​

MPG

City

14​

0.34​

20​

0.27​

1.43​

City

14​

0.25​

20​

0.27​

1.43​

Highway

19​

0.25​

26​

0.20​

1.37​

Highway

19​

0.18​

26​

0.21​

1.37​

SLC, UT

Gas

Cost/mile

Diesel

Cost/mile

Diesel/gas

Yorba Linda, CA

Gas

Cost/mile

Diesel

Cost/mile

Diesel/gas

Price

4.08​

5.13​

1.26​

Ok

Price

5.99​

6.59​

1.10​

Best

Combined

16​

0.26​

22​

0.23​

1.38​

MPG

Combined

16​

0.37​

22​

0.30​

1.38​

MPG

City

14​

0.29​

20​

0.26​

1.43​

City

14​

0.43​

20​

0.33​

1.43​

Highway

19​

0.21​

26​

0.20​

1.37​

Highway

19​

0.32​

26​

0.25​

1.37​

 

[DarkHorizon]

diesel prices are playing the market too... In a year or 2 you could end up owning a duramax with lower than average diesel prices...

 

[ktpinnacle]

You're going to see a hit this winter anywhere that uses fuel oil. Most heavier distillates are going to that instead of diesel, thus the higher price. Tough to prognosticate on next winter. I'm a real fan of the baby duramax. I'd probably have a new Yukon today if I could get one in an AT4.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Now, if you were thinking Denali w/ the 6.2…Diesel probably wins all day, since you need Premium in the 6.2.

 

[Stbentoak]

I've had one almost 2 years, winter and summer, short trips and long. Not a whimper out of it in any climate. maybe put 20-30 dollars of Wal Mart DEF in it a year.... Not an issue. Spend more than that eating out 1 meal. Never gets below 20 MPG (Although in winter it WILL be less due to winter diesel mix and a little more warmup time.) 550–600-mile range, won't ever have that in a gasser. Won't drop a lifter at any moment. Station out of fuel for any reason? Not with a diesel... proved that with IAN.... Maintenance costs? If you are a savvy shopper, you can do your own oil change with proper approved materials for 60-80 Dollars and go up to 7500 miles on it... Change fuel filter once a year. 25 bucks... Thats it really....
Fuel price difference, well that's an uncontrollable that I'm willing to deal with for the smoothness and Touque of the diesel. Best road trip vehicle I've ever had. Any issues I've ever had, had nothing to do with the engine. Resale? These are super rare and there have been people in line for one for years. If you don't want it, take delivery and sell for a profit, then buy something else. If I couldn't have a Yukon with a Dmax... I probably wouldn't own a GM product...

 

[bunky319]

Or....you could just stay in AZ. Problem solved.

But I realize I biased since I love it here.

 

[B-train]

And, you'd have a truck that would still look AWESOME in 10 years.......effing salt states.

Just got done doing my annual blast a gallon of fluid film on my 2017. 2008 gets it tomorrow. Stuff works good against salt, but it's still one more thing to contend with.

 

[navyseal334]

And, you'd have a truck that would still look AWESOME in 10 years.......effing salt states.

Just got done doing my annual blast a gallon of fluid film on my 2017. 2008 gets it tomorrow. Stuff works good against salt, but it's still one more thing to contend with.

I hear you on the salt.

How much does your annual fluid film application run you and do you do it yourself or take it to a shop?

 

[Seamus]

There is no downside to the LM2 3.0. Oil change is 75 bucks, rockauto oil and filter. Fuel filter once a year at 20 bucks. Sips DEF if not towing maybe 30 bucks a year. I get 24 MPG constantly without trying. Roadtrips with AC on 27 mpg. The upside is they are still dropping lifters and bending pushrods on the 5.3 and 6.2. No way I am paying 80K and cross my fingers. The Yukon with the Duramax is highly desirable to many. Easy flip if you dont like it. After over 18 months in the 3.0 I would not own anything but the 3.0.